I wear my letters all the time. To the grocery store, around the house, out to dinner, even on Christmas morning. Sometimes it feels like I'm never not wearing my letters. I've definitely had my fair share of, "Why do you wear those all the time? Do you need to wear them?" No, I don't. I wear my letters because I choose to, and here is why.
I'm in a sorority no matter where I go
Contrary to popular belief, Greek life exists OUTSIDE college campuses too! Being in a sorority doesn't end off school property. For me, it is a life-long commitment, so there's no use in pretending my letters only apply on campus.
My letters express who I am
Yes, I certainly have those letters that are just a basic, cute pattern, but a lot of them aren't! I have letters that say things about me and my interests (like the Frozen ones I made for myself when I was frustrated that I couldn't find them on the internet). They say that I'm a big and a little; that I love Adventure Time and I'm not afraid to show it. My letters also say that, "I'm in this sorority. I'm trying to uphold its ideals and live my life to a certain standard and by wearing my letters, I'm saying I'm not afraid of that. I'm embracing it."
I paid money for these
Of course, like all clothing, I paid for my letters. I'm not about to restrict where I wear them and waste my money.
These organizations are national (and sometimes international)
I cannot tell you how many people I know who say they ran into another person in their sorority/fraternity in the most ordinary of places like the grocery store. This hasn't happened to me yet, but I'm determined, and wearing my letters around ups my chances of finding that person. Not to mention, you never know when you're going to run into someone who says, "That sorority was at my school and they were always the sweetest" or something along those lines. Many people have felt the positive impacts of greek life, even if they didn't go greek themselves, and you'd be surprised how many of them are more than willing to share it.
I'm proud of my letters
Even for those of you who do not see/feel the positive impacts of greek life, and may be the first to ridicule me for wearing my letters, I am still proud of them. I am proud for what they stand for and what being a sorority says about me. In my mind, I have nothing but positives to say, so I will romp around in my letters loudly and proudly because at this point, they are the best part of me.
I don't do it for you
A lot of people think sorority girls wear their letters to show off. But I know I certainly don't. Me wearing my letters has nothing to do with you (sorry). It has to do with myself in relation to others. It is my way of saying, "I am a part of something bigger and I am so proud of it. If you want to share that with me, thank you. If not, it doesn't matter." My letters are for me. I'd still be in a sorority even if I didn't wear them. I wear them because they are my way of expressing my love for my sorority, and my personal desire to feel connected to it wherever I am. Putting on my letters reminds me of being home. They make me more confident. They make me more beautiful. They connect me to the thousands of other women in this world wearing the same letters. They are a token of my happiness. And they are not for you to judge or limit. They are not there to attack you, or be a condescending reminder of my extracurriculars. They are not an act I put on for you. They are mine, and I will treat them as I wish.
